Product Overview
Built specifically for in-vehicle deployment, the Axis M3945-R is a 2 MP fixed dome camera engineered to meet the demands of public transit environments where standard surveillance hardware falls short. This 10-pack (SKU 03372-021) is designed for fleet operators and system integrators fitting out multiple buses or coaches, with each unit carrying UNECE R10, UNECE R118, and IEC 60721-3-5 5M3 transportation industry certifications. The M3945-R connects via an RJ45 PoE interface and operates across a wide temperature range of -30 to 55 degrees Celsius, making it suitable for vehicles operating in Australian climates from alpine routes to outback corridors. Lightfinder 2.0 and Forensic WDR up to 120 dB deliver accurate colour rendition as passengers board in bright sunlight and ride through tunnels or low-light stops. The wide 99-degree horizontal field of view covers the full width of a bus aisle from a ceiling mount, while IK10 vandal resistance handles the physical demands of a passenger cabin.
Key Capabilities
Lightfinder 2.0 for Transit Lighting
Buses move between bright outdoor stops and dark interiors continuously. Lightfinder 2.0 maintains true-colour imaging at a minimum illumination of 0.16 lux, capturing usable footage in poorly lit shelters and overnight routes without relying on IR.
Forensic WDR up to 120 dB
Strong backlight from windows and doors creates challenging contrast inside vehicle cabins. Forensic WDR handles up to 120 dB dynamic range, keeping both shaded seat areas and bright entry points visible in a single frame.
Transportation Industry Certifications
The M3945-R carries UNECE R10 (electromagnetic compatibility), UNECE R118 (flammability), and IEC 60721-3-5 5M3 ratings. These are mandatory compliance markers for cameras installed in public transit vehicles across many regulatory environments.
DLPU and Axis Zipstream
An onboard deep learning processing unit runs Axis Zipstream in H.264 and H.265, reducing bandwidth and storage consumption without sacrificing forensic image quality. This matters significantly in mobile recording systems where onboard storage and cellular data costs are real constraints.
Axis Edge Vault Cybersecurity
Transit camera networks are increasingly targeted. Edge Vault provides hardware-based cryptographic security including a TPM-equivalent module, protecting device identity and configuration from tampering across an entire deployed fleet.
IK10 Vandal Resistance and Wide Dome FOV
The dome housing is rated IK10 and IP66/67, withstanding deliberate impact and exposure to dust and moisture. The 99-degree horizontal field of view covers a standard bus aisle from a central ceiling position, reducing the number of units required per vehicle.
Best For
- Public Transit Bus Fleets: Transportation certifications (UNECE R10 and R118) and the 10-pack format make this the right unit for operators equipping multiple vehicles to a consistent specification.
- Coach and Long-Distance Services: The -30 to 55 degrees Celsius operating range and Lightfinder 2.0 performance cover the lighting and temperature variation experienced on long-haul coach routes.
- Passenger Cabin Monitoring: The 2.8 mm fixed lens and 99-degree horizontal field of view provide broad aisle coverage from a single ceiling-mount position inside a standard bus cabin.
- Fleet Integrators Managing Bandwidth: Axis Zipstream with H.265 compression reduces the data load on onboard recorders and cellular uplink connections, which is a practical benefit in multi-camera bus installations.
Why Choose the Axis M3945-R 10-Pack
The M3945-R is not a repurposed building camera adapted for vehicle use. It is designed from the ground up for transit deployment, with certified compliance to UNECE R10 and R118 requirements that general-purpose dome cameras cannot meet. Where a standard indoor dome would struggle with the high-contrast entry lighting of a bus door and the near-darkness of an overnight route, Lightfinder 2.0 combined with Forensic WDR up to 120 dB handles both in a single fixed-lens unit. The DLPU runs Zipstream on H.264 and H.265 locally, reducing recorder and bandwidth costs across a fleet. Edge Vault secures device identity at hardware level, which matters when cameras are distributed across dozens of vehicles and managed remotely. Purchasing as the 10-pack (03372-021) reduces unit cost and simplifies commissioning for multi-vehicle deployments. This product is available at Security Wholesalers for transit operators and system integrators working to a certified specification.
Buyer Decision Tips
Confirm Your Onboard Recording System Compatibility: The M3945-R connects via RJ45 PoE (802.3af Type 1 Class 2) and outputs H.264 and H.265 streams. Verify that your onboard vehicle recorder or mobile NVR accepts standard IP camera streams over RJ45 at the power draw of up to 4.42 W per unit. This unit is not designed for coaxial or analogue recorder connections.
Scene Profile Selection for Your Route Type: The M3945-R offers user-selectable scene profiles including forensic, vivid, and traffic overview. For evidentiary use where footage may be reviewed after incidents, select the forensic profile to ensure image settings are optimised for detail retention rather than visual enhancement. This is a one-time configuration step during commissioning that is worth standardising across your fleet.
Key Features & Technical Specifications
| SKU |
03372-021 (10-pack) |
| Resolution |
2 MP (1920 x 1080 px) |
| Image Sensor |
1/2.8-inch progressive scan RGB CMOS |
| Lens |
Fixed 2.8 mm, f/2.0 |
| Horizontal Field of View |
99 degrees |
| Vertical Field of View |
55 degrees |
| Minimum Illumination (colour) |
0.16 lux |
| Wide Dynamic Range |
Forensic WDR, up to 120 dB |
| Frame Rate |
Up to 30 fps (with WDR); up to 60 fps (without WDR) |
| Video Compression |
H.264 (Main and High Profiles), H.265 (Main Profile), Motion JPEG |
| Onboard Processing |
Deep learning processing unit (DLPU); Axis Zipstream (H.264 and H.265) |
| Audio |
Built-in microphone (can be disabled via physical switch); audio-in supported; 10-band graphic equaliser; audio detection; max SPL 128 dB; frequency range 100-10,000 Hz |
| Network Interface |
RJ45 10/100 PoE |
| Power |
802.3af Type 1 Class 2 PoE; typical 3.55 W, max 4.42 W |
| IP / IK Rating |
IP66/67, IK10 |
| Transportation Certifications |
UNECE R10, UNECE R118, IEC 60721-3-5 5M3 |
| Operating Temperature |
-30 to 55 degrees Celsius |
| Camera Adjustment |
Pan: plus or minus 30 degrees; Tilt: 0 to 90 degrees; Rotation: -179 to 180 degrees |
| Cybersecurity |
Axis Edge Vault hardware-based security |
| Pack Quantity |
10 units |
Ideal Use Cases
Metropolitan Bus Services
The 99-degree horizontal field of view covers the full width of a standard urban bus cabin from a ceiling-mount position, and the UNECE R10 certification satisfies electromagnetic compatibility requirements for in-vehicle electronics.
Coach and Long-Distance Routes
Operating at down to -30 degrees Celsius and up to 55 degrees Celsius, the M3945-R handles the temperature range of vehicles travelling between climates or sitting in direct sun. Lightfinder 2.0 covers overnight route monitoring without IR illumination.
Passenger Incident Documentation
Forensic WDR at up to 120 dB and the forensic scene profile setting ensure that footage captured at the moment of a passenger incident retains detail in both shaded seating areas and bright doorway zones simultaneously.
Fleet Rollouts Requiring Consistency
The 10-pack format delivers 10 identical units from a single SKU, simplifying procurement, warranty tracking, and firmware management across a fleet. Edge Vault provides hardware-level identity protection that scales to large managed deployments.
Bandwidth-Conscious Mobile Recording Systems
Axis Zipstream running on the DLPU in H.265 reduces the bitrate demand on onboard recorders and cellular data connections. For operators managing storage costs across a large fleet, this directly reduces running costs without changing camera count or image quality settings.
Choosing the Right Model
- Choose this model if: You are equipping buses or coaches with IP cameras and require UNECE R10 and R118 transportation certifications, need to purchase in bulk for a fleet rollout, and your onboard recording system accepts RJ45 PoE IP camera streams.
- Choose a different model if: Your installation is in a fixed building, office, or retail environment. The transportation-specific certifications and RJ45 bus camera design of the M3945-R are not relevant to building surveillance, and a standard fixed dome would be more appropriate and cost-effective for those applications.
- Choose a different model if: You need IR night vision. The M3945-R has no IR illuminator and relies on Lightfinder 2.0 and Forensic WDR. For completely dark outdoor environments without any ambient light, an IR-equipped camera would be better suited.
FAQs
- What does the 10-pack (03372-021) include compared to the single-unit version?
SKU 03372-021 contains 10 units of the Axis M3945-R RJ45 2.8 mm camera. The hardware specification of each unit is identical to the single-unit SKU (03372-001). The 10-pack exists specifically for fleet and multi-vehicle deployments where bulk procurement simplifies ordering, logistics, and warranty management.
- Why does the M3945-R have specific transportation certifications and why do they matter?
UNECE R10 covers electromagnetic compatibility for electronic devices installed in vehicles. UNECE R118 covers flammability requirements for materials used inside vehicle cabins. IEC 60721-3-5 5M3 covers mechanical environmental conditions for vehicle-mounted equipment. These certifications are required for cameras installed in regulated public transit vehicles in many markets. Standard building cameras do not carry these ratings.
- Does the M3945-R have night vision or IR?
No. The M3945-R has no IR illuminator. It relies on Lightfinder 2.0 to deliver colour imaging at a minimum illumination of 0.16 lux, and Forensic WDR to manage high-contrast scenes. Inside a bus, ambient lighting from cabin lights and street infrastructure generally provides sufficient illumination. For fully dark unlit environments, this camera is not the appropriate choice.
- How is the M3945-R powered and what does it connect to?
The camera is powered via 802.3af Type 1 Class 2 PoE through its RJ45 connector, with a typical draw of 3.55 W and a maximum of 4.42 W. It connects to a compatible onboard vehicle recorder or IP switch with PoE output. It is not an analogue or coaxial camera and requires an IP-based recording system.
- Can the built-in microphone be turned off?
Yes. The M3945-R includes a physical microphone switch that allows the microphone to be disabled at the hardware level. This is relevant in jurisdictions where audio recording in vehicles requires compliance with privacy legislation. The microphone supports audio detection and covers a frequency range of 100 to 10,000 Hz with a maximum sound pressure level of 128 dB.
- What does Axis Zipstream do in a bus camera context?
Zipstream is Axis’s smart compression technology embedded in H.264 and H.265 streams. It analyses the scene continuously and reduces the bitrate in areas of low detail while preserving full quality in regions of interest. In a transit environment, this reduces the data written to the onboard recorder and the volume of footage that needs to be uploaded over a cellular connection, which directly affects storage and data costs at fleet scale.
- What is Axis Edge Vault and why is it relevant for fleet deployments?
Edge Vault is Axis’s hardware-based cybersecurity platform built into the camera’s chipset. It provides a secure element for storing cryptographic keys, protecting device identity, and enabling secure boot. For transit operators managing cameras across dozens of vehicles, Edge Vault prevents device impersonation and configuration tampering, which is increasingly important as vehicle camera networks become targets for cyber interference. The Axis M3945-R 10-pack is available through Security Wholesalers for operators requiring certified fleet camera solutions.
Additional Information
AXIS 03372-021 Datasheet
